Flávio Bolsonaro seeks U.S. testimony to block proposed tariffs

Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has formally requested to testify before the U.S. government to voice his opposition to proposed tariffs on Brazilian imports. In a letter disseminated Tuesday, the right-wing senator aims to present his case to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, countering accusations from his main electoral rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Lula da Silva has blamed Bolsonaro for the U.S. administration's threat of new tariffs.

In his correspondence to the Trump administration, Bolsonaro argued that the proposed 25% tariff would be ineffective in eliminating the targeted practices, such as alleged unfair competition in financial services and the ethanol sector. He plans to advocate for an alternative during the hearing scheduled for July 6: the immediate initiation of bilateral negotiations with a defined timeline, aiming to restore what he described as a "historic collaboration between equals."

Bolsonaro, son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, previously met with President Donald Trump and other administration officials in late May during a trip to the U.S. Shortly after this visit, the U.S. Trade Representative's office released preliminary findings accusing Brazil of unfair practices and proposing the tariff. The office has opened a consultation period until July 15 to gather input from businesses and civil society before finalizing its proposal for Trump's consideration.

The timing of Bolsonaro's U.S. trip and the subsequent tariff threat has been politically charged. President Lula da Silva seized upon the situation to label Bolsonaro a "traitor to the homeland," accusing him of seeking to undermine the election. Bolsonaro, already facing scrutiny over alleged ties to a corrupt banker, has vehemently denied soliciting tariffs, seeking to distance himself from the controversy.